We Invited Wade Kelly To Stop By And Discuss “The Cost of Loving”. And Yes, There Are Goodies Involved!

The Novel Approach is so pleased to welcome Wade as our guest today, so go grab yourself a drink, kick back in a comfy chair, and read on. Hint: Giveaway details are at the end. :)

TNA: Hi, Wade, thanks so much for being here with us today. Why don’t we start out with you telling us a little bit about yourself?

WK: On Twitter it says: “I’m an author of m/m romantic fiction for Dreamspinner Press. I’m sarcastic. I like snakes. I can’t spell. And I have a tendency to make people cry.” This could not be more true. I am a mother of three. I have a hard time balancing everything in my life, but it is getting easier as people in my life encourage and support me in my writing endeavors.

TNA: Was there someone who inspired and encouraged you to begin writing creatively?

WK: Lonliness. I had two small children in 2006 and while spending long hours alone with them, I began talking to myself in a sense by writing characters. I wrote 284,000 words in 8 months. It was sci-fi and is yet unpublished.

TNA: Why did you start writing M/M romance?

WK: I was inspired to write a story for a friend on how he would meet his “Prince Charming”.

TNA: You recently “came out” as a woman. This totally blew apart the mental picture I had of you. Why did you decide to do this now?

WK: I heard tales of other authors who “hid their identities” in order to sell more books. That wasn’t my intent. I did it out of a need to survive. In order to write at all, I had to be “someone else.” People assuming I was male made my secrecy easier, but it was also dishonest. The success of Jock spurred on my deep need to be honest and forthright. I “hid” to be ABLE to write, but hiding as success was looming felt wrong. As I moved into a new stage of life away from a hurtful set of people and found REAL friends, I found I no longer needed to hide. So, I came out. Then, if people liked my books, I knew it would not be because they thought I was a man.

TNA: From where did you choose the name Wade Kelly?

WK: Sliders! It was a TV show from the 90’s I think. Wade Wells. She was one of the main characters. And since she was a “she” I thought Wade would be more neutral, but it wasn’t. Oh well. And I like the name Kelly form a girl I went to school with in elementary school.

TNA: What is the perfect writing atmosphere for you?

WK: Perfect quiet. No children in the house!

TNA: Many of your characters are in their late teens and early twenties. What is it that draws you to characters in this period of their personal growth?

WK: This is the age group where I see the most despair. I draw my stories from culture. I want to bring a little hope, if I can. I use that one picture (I’m sure you’ve seen it) as my icon the most because I think the stats are alarming and sad. “40% of homeless youth are LGBT. And the #1 reason they are on the street is family rejection.” The thought pains me.

TNA: How much input do you have in the design of your book covers?

WK: Some. Paul Richmond did a great job with When Love Is Not Enough. And Enny was spectacular on The Cost of Loving. I think all the designers have to do is show it to me and I’ve been happy.

TNA: Have you ever seen a particularly sexy photograph and knew you had to write a book based on that picture? If so, which book(s)?

WK: No. I like the “inspirational” pictures but I cannot say I have seen one and wrote anything based on one.

TNA: You blog a lot about the ups and downs of the creative process and the frustrations you have had while turning The Cost of Loving from an idea to a manuscript to a hold-it-in-your hands book. How has the feedback been from your fans to you sharing so much of yourself with us?

WK: Some fans were “taken a back” by my “coming out” so to say, but most fans were very gracious. They have always been supportive and encouraging and patient. Especially waiting so long for this next book. This fact influenced my dedication in the front of the book.

TNA: In My Roommate’s a Jock? Well Crap! you destroyed some long-held stereotypes about jocks and nerds. Was this something you had planned, or did it just evolve as the story developed?

WK: Oh, I planned it. I like mixing things up.

TNA: Another author recently began the third installment of a popular series and as he started writing, he said, “Man, I’ve missed you guys.” Did you feel that way about Matt and Darian in between <iWhen Love is Not Enough and The Cost of Loving?

WK: Yes and No. The Cost of Loving took 2 years of editing. I don’t think it was ever off my table. I’ve been plugging away at it forever. It was more like “finally,” sigh.

TNA: How would you describe your sense of humor? What makes you laugh?

WK: Quirky and acquired. I often think I am only laughing at myself and others think my sense of humor is stupid.

TNA: If you could sit down to dinner with one person, past or present, who would it be and what’s the one question you’d love to ask?

WK: Lol. I have no clue. Maybe Sir Elton John. He is famous, but wasn’t always so. And he’s gay, which was not always something he could probably deal with. I guess I would ask him how he handled being gay in a time when that wasn’t accepted and grasp for his dream while being persecuted? Assuming he underwent persecution in the early years.

TNA: Would you care to share a little bit of information on any of your current WIPs?

WK: Names Can Never Hurt Me. It is about stereotypes and bullying. And like Jock, I mix it up and try something different with the stereotyping. Stay tuned. It is at 59,000 words and I hope to finish it before GRL in October. I also submitted a short story to Dreamspinner for the Advent Calendar in December called Last Minute Shopping.

I feel him enter my body and everything else drains away. I’m no longer me. I become the pliable embodiment of orgasmic rapture when he sinks impossibly deep inside and touches those spots that never knew pleasure before. His titillating touch transforms me into a wanton beast of insatiable lust, and I’ve never felt as ravenous as I do in his arms.

It frightens me—this unquenchable desire. What will I become when the thunderous throes of gratification end and I’m simply left with a hollow heart?

I have no answer.

Chapter 1

September 28, 2010

Teetering on the verge of an anxiety attack, Matthias Dixon drove to work with his brain on autopilot. His nerves were shot—not because his best friend, Jimmy, affectionately known as “Jamie,” died last week; not because he came out to his entire church congregation and faced possible excommunication; not because he feared confrontation from his family; and certainly not because he didn’t want to be gay. Matt drove to the fire station Tuesday morning practically hyperventilating and shaking in his skin because he had to step back into his everyday routine and leave one very important piece of himself at home in his bed: Darian Weston.

Inexplicably, Matt could not function without holding Darian.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Matt thought for the thousandth time.

He’d only just met Darian last Wednesday. Any sane person would not become attached to another person so quickly… would they? Maybe that was the reason. Matt was insane! He could believe it. It had been an extremely difficult week, full of high emotion and stress. Watching as Jamie’s casket was lowered into the ground almost did him in. That is, until he saw Darian completely break down.

Matt had been standing there drowning in his own sorrow as the pastor spoke a few last words but when Darian crumpled to the earth sobbing, Matt felt his inner Legolas—his champion—take over. He couldn’t let Darian suffer alone. He had to go to him and comfort him—protect him. Darian’s heart was broken. Jamie would want Matt to take care of him.

Matt could easily rationalize his actions with the facts: (1) Darian had been Jamie’s fiancé; (2) Jamie had loved Darian; (3) Matt had been Jamie’s best friend; and (4) Darian was Matt’s last physical link to Jamie. Conclusion: Matt needed to care for Darian.
The only complication was sex.

Matt had had sex with Darian. Lots of sex! Darian was like a drug, and Matt’s senses craved more with every touch. Matt knew it was wrong to swoop in on Jamie’s territory so soon after his death, but it had happened accidentally. At least he kept telling himself that. The first few times could be attributed to bad judgment, but the last few… several… several… times could not be blown off as “accidental”. Even after Matt knew who Darian was, he still went back for more and unabashedly fucked him without restraint.

As he drove to work, Matt tried to clear his mind. Who was he kidding? He was intoxicated by a living opiate, and there was no twelve-step program to cure him.

Staind came on the radio, and Matt sang along. When the chorus played, he got the eerie impression the song was written for him. “I can’t live without, all I think about, all I want is you….”

It was all so true.

For the second time in his life, Matt’s hands shook. He turned the corner onto Main Street and thought back to the day he had heard of Jamie’s death, and his hands quaked uncontrollably for several minutes. He wasn’t able to control his nerves then, and now it was happening again only for different reasons. At the red light, he groped under the seat for the crumpled brown bag he remembered from three weeks ago. He inhaled the stench of greasy burgers in a desperate attempt to control his breathing. When the light turned green, he flung the useless bag to the floor. He didn’t need a fucking bag! He couldn’t breathe because he missed Darian’s scent. He couldn’t think because he missed Darian’s voice. Even the steering wheel felt unbearably ridged because his fingers craved Darian’s smooth skin.

§§§§§§§

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all our nosy questions, Wade, and also for sharing that excerpt with us!

Now, let’s talk contest, shall we? Wade is offering the chance for one lucky reader to win an E-copy of either When Love is not Enough or The Cost of Loving, and entering this giveaway couldn’t be simpler!

All you have to do is leave a comment right here on this post by 11:59pm Pacific time on Saturday, August 17, 2013. and ba-da-boom, ba-da-bing, you’re automatically entered to win! The winner will be drawn on Sunday, August 18th via Random.org and notified via email for prize delivery.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone, and best of luck to you all!

§§§§§§§

A six-year downward spiral into a world of lies and deception leads to the end of one man’s life when self-discovery crosses the line between being the perfect son or following his heart.

Jimmy Miller never intended to lead a double life starting the day he fell in love with Darian, but his parents’ divorce, fighting in school, and constantly keeping secrets for his closeted best friend and protector, Matt, force his hand. Jimmy finds the demands too great to withstand and ends it all prematurely, leaving behind an angry best friend and a shattered lover.

Matt and Darian cling to one another in the aftermath of their loss, forging a new friendship immediately tested by the truths of their relationships with Jimmy that are hidden in the pages of Jimmy’s journals. Will Matt and Darian discover what truly happened to their friend? And will this tragedy birth something beautiful between them as they learn the balance between life, family, and friendship when love is simply not enough?

Matt Dixon, a young firefighter, is the golden child of his family, and he never dreamed that coming out would challenge more than the way his church sees him.

For years, Matt has led a double life hoping to avoid ridicule. When a self-righteous pastor’s statements provoke him to defend his recently deceased best friend’s honor and subsequently out himself, he suffers the brutal aftermath of his revelation. Everyone in his life, including his family and his new lover, Darian, must deal with the ramifications as Matt struggles to come to terms with guilt, shame, and his very belief in God.

Darian Weston lost his fiancé when Jamie took his life, and his feelings for Matt added guilt to his burden of grief. Confused and lonely, Darian clings to Matt despite his inner strife. But small-town realities keep intruding, and if Matt and Darian hope to make a life together, they must first take a stand for what they believe in, even if they fear the cost.

Congrats on the release of The Cost of Living and your “coming out” to your fans. I’m sure you feel relieved over both. Also, I appreciate a person with a quirky sense of humor. Maybe that’s because I laugh at things that others don’t find all that funny. What can I say…I am easily amused. :D

Thanks for the insight into your life as a writer. I adored both your other books and I can’t wait for Cost of Living! Have had it preordered for couple weeks now and I’m beyond excited that its only hours away. Thanks again and Happy Release Day for tomorrow

When Love is Not Enough would be a perfect win. I wanted to buy it when it came out but it didn’t have a happy ending so I was waiting for this one. They both sound wonderful and I want to read them back to back.

Well I must say I had never heard of either of these books before and cant wait to dive into this epic journey. I didnt really read to much except the synopsis for the first book as i didnt want to ruin the second book. Thanks for the awesome recommendation!

Thanks. I did start talking about it back in feb/march to people online. I started personally, one-on-one, and then decided to make it more widely known as other accepted me. It wasn’t supposed to be a “big cover up” or anything. I just wanted to be able to write. And now, it feels better to be able to write, and also not hide behind a name. Yes, I am a woman :)

Hi Wade — you are a new author to me. Thank you for the lovely interview. Do you write all your stories in first person? Also I have to agree with you – I simply love artwork done by Paul Richardson. Please add me in the contest

Thank you for sharing some personal information with us. It’s really good to see that you as a writer did not just consider wrting about gay fiction because it may popular to write about it nowdays or something like that. Rather this is something personal to you and you are sharing your feelings by way of these books.

I am glad that the day is finally here when I can read the sequel and I am really looking foward to NCNHM, I am sure we will get to read something different and new from you :)

Sliders! I haven’t thought of that show in a while. I also loved Quantum Leap. I just can’t resist the premise of time travel or alternate universes, in movies, tv, or books.

But I digress…

Really nice interview, Wade and Lisa. Wade, I loved your reason for why you write in that age group, to give hope. I’m so glad you brought up the stat about the homelessness because I think it’s important for people to see that and think about that. It’s an immense tragedy that can be alleviated. I found a place in my area to help by using this: http://www.glbtnearme.org/ in case anyone’s reading this and wants to find somewhere to help locally.

Thanks for sharing that link, Carolyn. I did a search for “Youth” outreach within 15 miles of my zip code and all it did was prove my area doesn’t have enough resources for teens to turn to. We do have one great organization, though, Indiana Youth Group, but that’s one group serving the entirety of Indianapolis and the surrounding counties. There really should be more.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat with Wade during her visit, and thanks so much to you, Wade, for being our guest this week. This contest is now closed and the winner has been drawn. Congratulations go to…

Samantha Murray!

Congrats, Samantha! I’ll email Wade with your contact information. You should be hearing from her soon. :)